No one was happy with how Purdue’s 2020 season unfolded.

Already rife with the challenges imposed by COVID-19, Purdue also had to deal with key injuries. The result: a 2-4 record during a season that saw three games cancelled. The season began with the promise of a 2-0 start before the Boilermakers lost their final four games.

But that was then, this is now. It’s 2021. And hopes spring eternal. Anything seems possible as Jeff Brohm begins his fifth season at Purdue. So, without further ado, here are 21 reasons for Boilermakers fans to be excited about 2021.

1. David Bell. Everybody’s All-American. The humble and hard-working Bell has been a sensation his first two seasons. He makes the extraordinary look ordinary. Enjoy him while you can. This could be his final season in West Lafayette.

2. Accommodating non-conference schedule. Yes, there is a game at Notre Dame on Sept. 18, Purdue’s first trip to South Bend since 2012 and first game vs. the Irish since 2014. But before that, Purdue opens with a visit from Oregon State and a trip to UConn. My point? A 2-1 start is very likely.

3. DaMarcus Mitchell. Think we all can agree: He’s special. The JC transfer played like his hair was on fire during his debut in 2020, operating as a linebacker/end in the defense of ex-coordinator Bob Diaco. It will be interesting to see how Mitchell is deployed by the new DC.

4. O-line. No doubt, left tackle Grant Hermanns will be missed. But there is plenty to build on what could be the best line yet under Brohm. Sophomore Gus Hartwig will be an anchor at guard or center. And watch sophomore Cam Craig blossom, likely at left tackle.

5. Gus Hartwig. Yes, the o-line was just mentioned. But Hartwig deserves his own slot because, well, he’s a rising star. Could he be the Boilermakers’ best lineman since … Matt Light?

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6. Energized defense. At least that’s the hope, as Purdue breaks in a third defensive coordinator in three years. The new hire could be (fingers crossed) just what the doctor ordered.

7. George Karlaftis. The junior will be looking to recapture his 2019 form, when the defensive end was a Freshman All-American. Injury and COVID limited him to just three games in 2020. No doubt, Big George will be motivated as he eyes the NFL. Will 2021 be his final season?

8. Yanni Karlaftis. The younger Karlaftis is the gem of the 2021 recruiting class. He is arriving in time for spring ball with the intent to start. Don’t bet against a phenom whose tenacity and want-to are unmatched.

9. Brian Brohm is back. Purdue's co-OC/QB coach interviewed for the OC job at Kentucky but didn't land it. He appears to be a rising talent who showed his worth when he filled in as acting head coach/OC in a season-opening win vs. Iowa while Jeff Brohm was out with COVID.

10. Quarterbacks. Purdue has some nice options in senior Aidan O’Connell and junior Jack Plummer. Plus, the staff still has senior Austin Burton and redshirt freshman Michael Alaimo.

11. TJ Sheffield. He showed flashes as a return man in 2020. Could he become the difference maker the return unit has lacked?

12. Payne Durham. The junior looks poised to become one of the Big Ten’s best tight ends. Durham is a difference maker as a blocker and pass catcher with a nose for the end zone. He’s part of a promising collection of tight ends that also includes sophomores Garrett Miller and Kyle Bilodeau.

13. Eye of the tiger. You know? “Rocky III”? Survivor? This team has to be hungry to post its first bowl trip since 2018 and first winning season since 2017. The pain of going 12-19 the last three seasons has to hurt.

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14. Safety tandem: Sophomore Marvin Grant and junior Cam Allen are a dynamic twosome in the back end of the defense. These two bring the lumber, if you know what I mean.

15. Five Big Ten home games. It’s an odd-numbered year, so that means Big Ten West schools play five conference games at home and four on the road. And all five home league games could be winnable: Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Michigan State, Indiana.

16. Maturing roster. Players like LB Derrick Barnes, OT Grant Hermanns, WR Rondale Moore and K J.D. Dellinger are gone, but this has been a young roster. Many key players are back. The hope? Experience has sharpened them. And added maturity—and strength—will make for a better roster.

17. Cory Trice. Depth at cornerback needs to be bolstered, but there’s no denying this: Trice is the lynchpin of the position. The junior looks poised to become one of the better corners in the Big Ten.

18. Young wideouts: We all know about David Bell and Milton Wright. But it’s the potential of youngsters like Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen, Maliq Carr, Collin Sullivan, Marcellus Moore and TJ Sheffield that has fans pumped. And could incoming freshmen Preston Terrell and Deion Burks impact now?

19. Business as usual. That’s the hope, at least, following a bizarre 2020 season that featured a delayed start and truncated schedule played before largely empty stadiums. By the start of summer, maybe America will be largely back to normal … and it will be business as usual for Big Ten football.

20. Running backs. Purdue welcomes back two proven, quality options in senior Zander Horvath and junior King Doerue, who was limited to four games in 2020 because of injury. Purdue also will welcome UNLV transfer Dylan Downing. Will Da’Joun Hewitt and Tarik Murphy be back after opting out? Will Purdue add a RB from high school, JC or the portal?

21. Transfers. The Portal already has been fruitful for Purdue, which added Western Kentucky grad transfer guard Tyler Witt. Expect the Boilermakers to add more veteran talent for instant upgrades with the defense being a priority.

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